§ 16-23. Organization.

(a)

Fire department recognized. The existing fire department, including the rescue medical service, together with all members thereof, is hereby officially recognized as the town fire department. The duty of firefighting and fire prevention in the town and ambulance service is delegated to such department. The fire department shall be comprised of full-time and part-time employees of the town, and shall be compensated by payment of a salary or hourly wage, or such other compensation methods as shall be approved by the town board.

(b)

Organization.

(1)

The fire department shall consist of the following officers:

a.

One fire chief/administrator.

b.

One assistant chief.

c.

Three deputy chiefs.

d.

Five lieutenants.

e.

One secretary-treasurer.

(2)

A total of 60 members will be considered a full roster.

(c)

Officer appointment.

(1)

Fire chief/administrator. The fire chief/administrator shall be appointed by the fire commission and, after completion of a 180-day probationary period, shall hold office until resignation, retirement, death, or removal for cause by the fire commission. The fire chief/administrator shall be a full-time employee of the town. The fire commission will approve the job description and qualifications of the fire chief/administrator, but the fire chief/administrator will be required, at a minimum, to:

a.

Become a member of the town fire department.

b.

Have a signed contract approved by the town board.

c.

Be a minimum certified level 2 (level 3) firefighter.

d.

Be a state licensed EMT.

e.

Have a minimum of three years' experience as a fire department officer or manager.

(2)

Assistant fire chief.

a.

The assistant fire chief will be appointed by the fire chief and approved by the fire commission. The appointment shall be effective January 1 of each year and be for a term of one year. The assistant chief shall assume the responsibilities of the fire chief in the absence of the chief. In the event of the death, resignation, retirement, or the termination of the chief, or in the event the chief is unable to perform the duties as required by this article, the fire commission may appoint the assistant chief to be the acting chief until such time as a new fire chief has been named, or until the fire chief returns to duty. The assistant fire chief will be required to:

1.

Be a minimum certified level 2 (level 3) firefighter.

2.

Be a state licensed EMT.

3.

Have a minimum of one year experience as a fire department officer.

b.

The duties of the assistant fire chief shall be outlined in the fire department policies.

(3)

Deputy fire chiefs.

a.

Three deputy fire chiefs will be appointed by the fire chief and approved by the fire commission. The appointments shall be effective January 1 of each year and be for a term of one year. In the absence of the chief or assistant chief, the deputy chief on duty shall assume command of the day-to-day operations of the fire department. The authority of the deputy chief, under these circumstances, shall not extend to the altering or modifying staff, ordinances, bylaws, or policies, or to the suspension, removal, or termination of fire department personnel. Such personnel matters shall be referred to the chief or assistant chief, as the case may be. The deputy chiefs will be required to:

1.

Be a minimum certified level 2 (level 3) firefighter or state licensed EMT.

2.

Have a minimum of four years' experience as a fire department member.

b.

The duties of the deputy chiefs shall be outlined in the fire department policies.

(4)

Lieutenants. Five lieutenants will be appointed by the fire chief. Such appointments shall be effective January 1 of each year and be for a term of one year. Eligible candidates will be interviewed by the fire chief, assistant fire chief and deputy chief of EMS. Appointment selections shall be made from results of those interviews. Lieutenants will be required to have a minimum level 1 firefighter certification or be a state licensed EMT and have a minimum two years' experience as a town fire department member. The duties of the lieutenants shall be outlined in the fire department policies.

(Prior Code, § 5-1-3)

State law reference

Fire department generally, Wis. Stats. § 62.13.